Published
by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers (2010)
Hardcover
336 pages
Buy your own
Amazon (paperback)
Book Depository (paperback)
Ratings
Content: ★★★彡
Cover: ★★★★
Summary
Vera’s spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. And over the years she’s kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything.
So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone—the kids at school, his family, even the police. But will she emerge to clear his name? Does she even want to?
by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers (2010)
Hardcover
336 pages
Buy your own
Amazon (paperback)
Book Depository (paperback)
Ratings
Content: ★★★彡
Cover: ★★★★
Summary
Vera’s spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. And over the years she’s kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything.
So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone—the kids at school, his family, even the police. But will she emerge to clear his name? Does she even want to?
There is something I can't quite put my finger on about Please Ignore Vera Dietz that reminds me of John Green's novels. Unfortunately, I don't particularly like John Green. If you do, however, I think you will love this book. After all, most people seem to do just that, so please take this review with a grain of salt.
Please Ignore Vera Dietz is, like so many other YA books, about dealing with the death of a loved one. However, it is a breath of fresh air, a refreshing take on an overused topic. A.S. King writes beautifully. My favorite moments—the times when Vera is overwhelmed by the phantom Charlies—are my favorites for this very reason.
The book has a certain degree of paranormal: Vera sees and speaks to a ghost and a few chapters are narrated by Charlie (who is dead). Personally, I think the author uses it as a way to show how Charlie's death affects Vera. For instance, King uses the millions of Charlies closing in on Vera to show that she is overcome with emotion.
Still, Charlie insists in his chapters that he has a certain power over the world of the living; he is able to send the cops to Vera and speak through people. I was a little confused by this. If it had been only Vera who says she hears Charlie speak through someone, I would assume King is showing how deeply Vera is being affected, but Charlie's narration makes me wonder what is actually happening.
In addition to Vera and Charlie, Vera's father and their town's Pagoda narrate a couple chapters. Vera's father's chapters grew on me, but I never really liked or understood the need for the Pagoda's. They do not add much of anything to the story, and I would probably have considered skipping them had they been any longer.
I went into this book expecting to become profoundly invested in the story, hoping I would have trouble reading because I couldn't see through the tears. Yes, I am one of those people that like to cry when they read, though nnot just with any book, of course. Still, a book that makes me cry means that I grew attached to the characters and storyline, that I connected with them on a deeper level, and there is nothing more important to me when I read than connecting to the characters.
I didn't cry. I reckon this is because I never truly identified with Vera; I often had trouble understanding her actions. For example, I never understood why she wants to be invisible, and I only barely understand why she keeps the secret (no spoilers, you will understand when you read it) for as long as she does.
However, I really like the characters. I love Vera's father and their relationship. I love (to hate) Charlie and his Detentionhead friends. I love James. Everyone, even Vera, is flawed and realistic.
The ending is too abrupt for my taste. I was hoping the issues between Vera and her dad would be solved, but in the end they are just sugarcoated and left with no conclusion. I also would have liked to know what the police does after Vera talks to them. In addition, the way it was written was different from the rest of the book to the point where it feels almost like a different novel.
I really enjoyed King's writing style. It is simple yet appealing, her chapters short and engaging. The flashbacks are built into the store in the best possible way, never becoming annoying or hard to keep track of. Even though I gave this book only three stars, I do recommend it, and will definitely read more of her books.
Have you read PIVD? Did you enjoy it? Please leave your thoughts down below!
Please Ignore Vera Dietz is, like so many other YA books, about dealing with the death of a loved one. However, it is a breath of fresh air, a refreshing take on an overused topic. A.S. King writes beautifully. My favorite moments—the times when Vera is overwhelmed by the phantom Charlies—are my favorites for this very reason.
The book has a certain degree of paranormal: Vera sees and speaks to a ghost and a few chapters are narrated by Charlie (who is dead). Personally, I think the author uses it as a way to show how Charlie's death affects Vera. For instance, King uses the millions of Charlies closing in on Vera to show that she is overcome with emotion.
Still, Charlie insists in his chapters that he has a certain power over the world of the living; he is able to send the cops to Vera and speak through people. I was a little confused by this. If it had been only Vera who says she hears Charlie speak through someone, I would assume King is showing how deeply Vera is being affected, but Charlie's narration makes me wonder what is actually happening.
In addition to Vera and Charlie, Vera's father and their town's Pagoda narrate a couple chapters. Vera's father's chapters grew on me, but I never really liked or understood the need for the Pagoda's. They do not add much of anything to the story, and I would probably have considered skipping them had they been any longer.
I went into this book expecting to become profoundly invested in the story, hoping I would have trouble reading because I couldn't see through the tears. Yes, I am one of those people that like to cry when they read, though nnot just with any book, of course. Still, a book that makes me cry means that I grew attached to the characters and storyline, that I connected with them on a deeper level, and there is nothing more important to me when I read than connecting to the characters.
I didn't cry. I reckon this is because I never truly identified with Vera; I often had trouble understanding her actions. For example, I never understood why she wants to be invisible, and I only barely understand why she keeps the secret (no spoilers, you will understand when you read it) for as long as she does.
However, I really like the characters. I love Vera's father and their relationship. I love (to hate) Charlie and his Detentionhead friends. I love James. Everyone, even Vera, is flawed and realistic.
The ending is too abrupt for my taste. I was hoping the issues between Vera and her dad would be solved, but in the end they are just sugarcoated and left with no conclusion. I also would have liked to know what the police does after Vera talks to them. In addition, the way it was written was different from the rest of the book to the point where it feels almost like a different novel.
I really enjoyed King's writing style. It is simple yet appealing, her chapters short and engaging. The flashbacks are built into the store in the best possible way, never becoming annoying or hard to keep track of. Even though I gave this book only three stars, I do recommend it, and will definitely read more of her books.
Have you read PIVD? Did you enjoy it? Please leave your thoughts down below!